to travel to japan. for now, the program has been put on hold. >> there was concerns about shortages perhaps happening or problems becoming a little more complicated as time goes on so we felt for the safety of our students it would be best to have them return to california. >> the sf state students are in the tokyo and kioto area. none of them were studying in the hardest hit areas or near the unfolding disaster at the nuclear reactors. those taking classes are majoring in international studies at sf state say studying abroad is an eye opening experience. >> new information and new quality of life and you are basically just mesmerized by how people live outside of the united states. >> others believe it would be beneficial for those students to stay in japan. >> being able to immerse in the society and be a part of this rebuilding process for japan is s. a once in a lifetime thing and if i was over there at time i would really want to be part of that. >> reporter: students here are have been collecting